Multi-analysis of translators’ work: an interdisciplinary approach by translator and ergonomics trainers

Abstract

ABSTRACT We report on an experiment carried out among master’s students in specialised translation involved in an authentic translation project at the University of Grenoble Alpes. With a view to designing an authentic translation environment for future translators, a collaborative and ergonomic dimension was integrated into translator training. Ergonomics has emerged as a new paradigm in applied translation studies and ergonomic factors have been shown to have an impact at physical, organisational and cognitive levels on how translators work. As a result, ergonomics was deployed through project-based learning and a collaboration was initiated between translator and ergonomics trainers. Second-year master’s students were observed by ergonomists while carrying out a three-day translation project commissioned by NGOs. Students worked in a collaborative environment composed of learning labs and geared towards creativity and innovative pedagogy in addition to being equipped with ergonomics-related aspects. Data analysis aims at investigating the extent to which space was used to foster coordination in the translation activity and how work organisation developed between team members – project managers, translators and reviewers – and influenced each other’s work. Group dynamics is further analysed through personality traits and opens onto perspectives promoting an interdisciplinary approach between translation and ergonomics.